orthopedic

adjective

or·​tho·​pe·​dic ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-dik 

variants or less commonly orthopaedic

1

: of, relating to, or employed in orthopedics

an orthopedic surgeon

orthopedic shoes

2

: marked by or affected with a skeletal deformity, disorder, or injury

an orthopedic condition

people with orthopedic problems

orthopedically

ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of orthopedic in a Sentence

She was wearing orthopedic shoes.

Recent Examples on the Web

But in 2019, Archdeacon led a process that resulted in Stryker and one other manufacturer being chosen as the suppliers of trauma implants to UC's orthopedic surgery department. —Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025

The cost of these evaluations, particularly for forensic psychiatry, orthopedic degeneration, neurological progression, or mental health cases, can reach levels that most individuals cannot privately fund. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

The chief resident of orthopedic surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center walked jurors through X-rays showing Megan’s gunshot wounds on both of her lower extremities. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2025

Compared to traditional bicycles, e-bike crashes result in significantly higher rates of head injuries, orthopedic fractures, hospital admissions, surgeries, and, tragically, life-altering injuries. —Justin Assioun, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French orthopédique, from orthopédie orthopedics, from orth- + Greek paid-, pais child — more at few

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for orthopedic

• glycosidic
• orthopaedic
• comedic
• encyclopaedic
• encyclopedic

Kids Definition

orthopedic

adjective

or·​tho·​pe·​dic ˌȯr-thə-ˈpēd-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or used in orthopedics

2

: marked by or affected with skeletal deformity, disorder, or injury

Medical Definition

orthopedic

adjective

or·​tho·​pe·​dic

variants or chiefly British orthopaedic

ˌȯr-thə-ˈpēd-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or employed in orthopedics

orthopedic surgery

orthopedic casts

2

: marked by or affected with a deformity, disorder, or injury of the skeleton and associated structures

orthopedically adverb

or chiefly British orthopaedically

-ˈpēd-i-k(ə-)lē